by James Stanley, Wilson Tobs Director of Media Relations and Broadcasting

WILSON, N.C. – The Wilson Tobs (14-15, 4-5) fell 8-6 to the Morehead City Marlins (22-10, 8-2) on Thursday night at Historic Fleming Stadium.

Morehead City started the night by plating two runs off Tobs starting pitcher Matt Kavanaugh (Nova Southeastern) to take a 2-0 lead in the top of the 1st. Marlins right fielder Jack Harris (Newberry College) started the scoring with an RBI single and catcher Zack Miller (Catawba College) plated the second run on a groundout to second base.

The Tobs scored two runs to tie the game two-apiece in their half of the 1st on an RBI double by Drew DeVine (Western Michigan) and an RBI single by Dusty Baker (Mount Olive) with two outs.

Wilson tabbed Marlins starting pitcher Justin Kleinsorge (Regis) for two more runs in the bottom of the 3rd to take a 4-2 lead. Riley Jepson (UT-Tyler) and Baker scored the two runs after executing a double steal and capitalizing on a throwing error charged to Miller behind the plate.

Dominick Bucko (Youngstown State) hit an RBI single in the top of the 4th to chip away at Wilson’s lead to trail 4-3 and start a series of six-unanswered runs scored by the Marlins.

Dylan Pottgieser (Pacific) relieved Kavanaugh to start the top of the 6th. With two runners on, Pottgieser gave up a base hit to Jordan Johnson (Arkansas-Monticello) that loaded the bases. Two hitters later with the bases still loaded, Bucko came to the plate and drew an RBI walk to tie the game 4-4. With two outs in the inning, Harris hit a grand slam to left field driving in the final four runs of the frame that vaulted Morehead City in front 8-4.

The Tobs finally answered the Marlins five-run 6th inning with two runs in the 8th to trail 8-6. With one out, Jepson singled and later came around to score on an RBI double off DeVine’s bat down the left field line. Braedon Blackford (Purdue-Ft. Wayne) followed at the plate and drove in DeVine on a base knock for Wilson’s final run of the night.

Brendan Bean (Pennsylvania) closed out the game in the 9th by getting Griffin Everitt (Nebraska) to ground out into a game-ending double play. With the save, Bean secured the 8-6 win for the Marlins in 1.0 inning pitched.

Morehead City relief pitcher Jon Vore (Butler) received the win pitching 1.2 scoreless innings in relief on three strikeouts.

Pottgieser took the loss. He gave up five runs, three earned, on three hits and two walks in 1.0 inning pitched.

The fourth CPL start of the season ended for Kavanaugh on six strikeouts in 5.0 innings pitched. He gave up three runs on three hits and no walks.

Kleinsorge finished his start on 4.0 innings. He allowed four runs, none earned, on six hits and two walks.

Next up, the Tobs hit the road for back-to-back games away from Historic Fleming Stadium. On Friday, Wilson starts their road trip against the Wilmington Sharks with first pitch at Legion Stadium slated for 7:00 p.m. ET. Fans can listen to the game for free on on Mixlr by clicking here or watch on FloBaseball.TV.

The Wilson Tobs enter their 25th season as a founding member of the Coastal Plain League. The upcoming season for the Tobs will see community outreach, increased participation in helping the less fortunate, a Pettit Cup Championship team, and more exciting entertainment than ever before. We would like to dedicate each successful season to the Wilson Community, Coastal Plain League Organization, Host Families, Corporate Partners, and the Dedicated Fans. 

The Wilson Tobs have played host to over 100 alumni taken in the draft and have produced a dozen players who have gone on to play in the MLB, including Cy Young MVP winner Justin Verlander. For more information on the Wilson Tobs, visit our website www.WilsonTobs.com.